Haitian Potato Salad

RECIPE 

Haitian cuisine is kréyol cuisine, a mixture of French, African, Spanish and indigenous cooking methods, ingredients and dishes. Rice and beans (dire ak pwa) are a staple. Vegetable and meat stews are popular too. Goat, beef, chicken and fish are complemented with plantains, cabbage, tomatoes and peppers. Fiery Scotch bonnet peppers lend their punch to many dishes, and to pikliz, a popular pickled vegetable condiment.

Ingredients (serves 8):

• 4 medium beets, leaves and stems removed, roots rinsed and wrapped individually in heavy duty foil
• 2 pounds red bliss or new potatoes (about 6 medium or 18 new)
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt or 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 to 3 scallions, sliced thin (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
• 1/2 cup, plus 1 tablespoon mayonnaise

How to prepare it:

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Set beets in a small pan; roast until just tender about 1 hour. Let beets cool and then remove foil and skins (they slip off easily). Cut into medium dice and set aside.

Meanwhile, place potatoes in a 4 to 6 quart pot; cover with water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer, stirring once or twice to ensure even cooking, until a thin-bladed paring knife or a metal cake tester inserted into the potato can be removed with no resistance, 25 to 30 minutes for medium potatoes and 15 to 20 minutes for new potatoes. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut them with a serrated knife, layering them in a medium bowl and lightly sprinkling with the 2 tablespoons vinegar and salt and pepper as you go.

Mix in scallions, peas, and mayonnaise; toss to coat. Lightly fold in beets. Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.

© Text and image: Food.com